Free Losing It by Sandy McKay Page B

Ashley King has broken up with Ben Spooner. What a drama. Only two weeks to go and now she has no partner. I’m beginning to think a blind date is not such a bad idea after all. At least you can’t have an argument and stuff everything up. Well, not before the big night anyway.
    Hey, and guess what my first assignment for the newspaper is? A full report on the formal. I’m allowed to take the school’s digital camera along to get some candid shots, which might be fun. And at least I’ll have something to do if it gets boring. My job is to take the pictures and there’s a Year Twelve guy called Tim who’s going to do the text. He’s quite cute really, in a slightly nerdy kind of way.
    Oh, and my mystery man has finally been revealed. He’s called Mike Maxwell. I feel more nervous than ever knowing his name. Mike Maxwell? What do you think?!
    We are going as a foursome with Kathy Symons and a guy called Rodney who is Mike Maxwell’s friend and Mum says I have to start looking forward to it and stop fretting about you not being there. (Which is all very well for her to say!)
    I don’t know what Kathy Symons is like. All I know is that she’s number two on the tennis ladder and she’s got an older brother called Malcolm in Year Thirteen who plays in the school orchestra.
    Oh, one good thing: she’s offered her place forpre-formal cocktails, which gives me an excuse to get Mum off my back. I know she’s been champing at the bit to do it but I’d rather keep my family on the sidelines, at arms length, and as far away from the action as possible.
    Meredith is getting on my nerves and if I hear one more word about the great formal of 2000 I will run away and join a travelling science fair. You are so lucky to have a brother, Jo. Sisters are the pits, especially older ones who’ve done everything before you have and of course it was so much better when they did it. They both had proper dates to start with! (Not blind ones, like me.) Or, so they keep saying.
    Anyway, they forget that I’ve actually seen their formal photos and the guys don’t look that shit hot to me. Kate’s wasn’t too bad but the guy Meredith went with looks like something out of the new King Kong movie.
    Must go.
    Take care, Jo.
    Luv, Issy
     
    P.S. Special treat! Mum bought me make-up the other day. It was kind of like shopping for my first bra! A mother/daughter bonding session – well, so Mum kept saying, and I suppose it was quite sweet. I have to say the cosmetics department was an eye-opening experience. Far out! Do you have any idea how complicated choosing make-up is? Mascara technology would blow you away for starters. I had to choose between – volume building, doubleextension, lash expansion, extreme curl and wide eye. And here’s me thinking it was all just black gook to make your lashes look longer. (Not that you’ll get to see much from behind the glasses anyway. Kate reckons I should get contact lenses but I think I’d be too squeamish to put them in.)
    P.P.S. I can absolutely identify with Dot not liking her name. I feel the same about Isabelle. Like, if I hear one more joke about ‘is a bell necessary on your bike?’ I’ll scream. Isabelle sounds so old-fashioned and Isabella would have been much nicer. Then I could have been called Bella.  
    Dear Mr Morrison,
     
    I am sorry to report that your daughter isn’t making the progress we’d hoped. Unfortunately, there has been no significant weight gain and we feel there is more to Johanna’s problems than we are currently aware. We understand that you are keen to visit but she refuses to see you. This must be difficult.
    To make an appointment to discuss your daughter, please contact me at the phone number below.
     
    Yours sincerely,
    Neville Fraser (Dr)

    Dear Jo,
     
    This is new. It’s called chocolate filled red liquorice . It’s really yummy and cost a whole week’s pocket money so please don’t be sick after you eat it.
    Love from,
    Matt
     
    P.S. I am doing